RLG attorney Adam Frank says banning a ‘slippery slope’
The Arizona Republic
Now that the dust has settled and the drone of ambulance sirens has died down, it’s time to face the obvious truth about the future of Cave Creek’s “running of the bulls” event.
Mayor Vincent Francia should seek to put as much distance between his town and that debacle as the runners tried to create between themselves and the bulls. Hopefully, Francia will be more successful.
Several people were injured at the event earlier this month, two so seriously they required hospitalization.
This event has already been condemned on this page for being tasteless and exploitative — those looking for a silver lining here may be gratified to know that the “midget” bullfight went off without a hitch — but in the aftermath of serious bodily harm, it’s even more difficult to condone.
Response from Adam Trenk, RLG equine law attorney and former member of the Cave Creek Town Council:
“If events like the Running of the Bulls are banned, the only thing trampled will be private property rights.
“I am saddened by reports of injuries and of course hope all heal quickly, but adrenaline enthusiasts and thrill seekers made conscious decisions to accept the risk and participate in the event.
“Unlike Spain’s famous running of the bulls, no bulls were slaughtered in bull fights after the sprint in Cave Creek. All who partook had fun—2,500 people in town is 2,500 more people than would have visited the commercial core of Cave Creek on that day. The Town’s merchants deserve the opportunity to capitalize on the Cave Creek’s character in this way.
“Let’s learn from the event and be better prepared next time instead of over reacting. Any ‘ban’ is a slippery slope; next thing you know the bull riding at the Buffalo Chip will be banned, and then the Cave Creek Bike Festival, all because of a few bumps and bruises.
